One of the most entertaining opening rounds in NHL playoff history is over, and my record in predicting those who'd advance was a respectable 6-2.
My Western Conference picks were perfect, as I had the Kings, Ducks, Blackhawks, and Wild all advancing in the correct number of games as well. In the East I had the Rangers, and Penguins correct, while I incorrectly picked Detroit and Tampa Bay to advance to the next round.
Round 2 picks:
Montreal Canadiens at Boston Bruins
Prediction: Bruins in 6
The Bruins were the best team in the Eastern Conference throughout the entire regular season, and they showed that was no fluke when they easily disposed of a pretty talented Detroit team in five games. Boston is a much better possession team, and with young guns like Dougie Hamilton, Torey Krug, and Reilly Smith producing on top of the big guns, there's no reason they shouldn't win this series.
X-Factor: The Canadiens aren't winning this series unless they get Boston off their game. One way of doing that is getting under their skin, and drawing them into stupid penalties. One player who can do that is Brendan Gallagher. If he's able to throw some of Boston's top players off their games, and can produce offense regularly, the Habs have a shot.
New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
Prediction: Rangers in 7
New York is being screwed royally by the NHL with the scheduling, as they have to play five games in seven nights. Despite that, I think the Rangers are the more well rounded team, and will slip by the Penguins in a long series. Pittsburgh has the star power, but the Rangers are deeper, and more balanced. Even if Marc-Andre Fleury plays well, New York has the advantage in goal as well.
X-Factor: Special teams. Pittsburgh took way too many penalties against Columbus, and the Blue Jackets did a good job of scoring at a pretty good clip when given the man advantage. The Pens' PP was inconsistent at times, too. I like the Rangers better 5 vs 5 to begin with, so if they come anywhere close to winning the special teams battle they'll win the series.
Minnesota Wild @ Chicago Blackhawks Prediction: Blackhawks in 6
I like Darcy Kuemper a lot, and there's some nice young talent on the Wild, but I think they're overmatched in this series. They're playing arguably the deepest team in hockey, and the Blackhawks aren't missing any regulars from their lineup. Chicago is better up front, on defense and they're the gods of possession, so I think they take care of business relatively early.
X-Factor: Darcy Kuemper. He's going to see a lot more rubber than Corey Crawford will, so the only way Minnesota has a shot is if he can steal some games.
Los Angeles Kings @ Anaheim Ducks Prediction: Kings in 6
Los Angeles is coming off a historic comeback against the San Jose Sharks, and while that surely took a lot out of them, I think they'll come into Anaheim meaning business. They have arguably the best two-way forward in the game in Anze Kopitar, arguably the best two-way defenseman in Drew Doughty, and a ton of talent surrounding them. They're an elite possession team, and Anaheim simply isn't.
Dallas carried play against the Ducks for much of that series, and in all honesty Anaheim was lucky they didn't have to play a Game 7, and perhaps bow out once again in the first round. Another reason I like LA is because of Bruce Boudreau's decision to regularly ice guys like Mark Fistric and Bryan Allen, while Sami Vatanen sits in the press box, or is riding buses in the AHL. Vatanen is their best possession defenseman, and was 12th in 5v5 points/60 among defensemen with more than 500 minutes played this season.
If guys like Emerson Etem, Vatanen, etc. played regularly I'd be more inclined to pick the Ducks, but that's not the case.
X-Factor: Special teams. LA has the advantage 5v5, but if this turns into a special teams battle and the Kings spoon feed Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, etc. power play opportunities, the Ducks should be able to keep this series close.
Disagree with my picks? Post your thoughts and leave your predictions in the comment section.
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Email: NHLToddCordell@Gmail.com